During 1960, exploration in Pennsylvania resulted in the discovery of 1 new gas field, 8 new gas pools, and 1 deeper pool. It also extended several gas-producing areas, and established a new producing depth record in the state. After drilling a dry hole to the Gatesburg formation (Upper Cambrian) in each of its 2 offshore blocks, the New York State Natural Gas Corporation surrendered its acreage. The new producing-depth record was established by the Robert I. Snyder well No. 1 in Somerset County when gas was found in the Oriskany at 8,574 ft. The well had an initial open-flow after fracturing of 1,572 MCF of gas at a rock pressure of 3,293 psi in 44 hrs.

Deep exploration (Middle Devonian or older) found all of the new pools and the one new field. Of the unsuccessful wildcats, 12 were new-field wildcats and 6 were new-pool wildcats. Three deeper pool tests were unsuccessful as were 10 outposts. One new-field wildcat, 8 new-pool wildcats, 1 deeper-pool test, and 3 outposts were successful. There were 61 development gas wells completed and 21 dry holes. The greatest density of deep drilling occurred in Clearfield County. There were 126 deep wells completed in Pennsylvania in 1960 with a total footage of 851,347 ft. Of the 126 wells, 74 were gas wells and 52 were dry holes.

Secondary-recovery projects in the Bradford field and the development drilling in the gas fields dominated the shallow-sand drilling activity during 1960. No new shallow-sand oil or gas discoveries were made. In all, 745 shallow-sand wells were completed. Of these, 175 were gas wells, 24 were oil wells, 47 were dry holes, 2 were drilled for underground gas storage, and 497 were drilled in connection with secondary-recovery operations. In addition to the 745 wells, 42 shallow-sand wells were deepened. The total footage of the new and deepened wells was 1,578,933 ft.

Oil production increased from 5,760,000 bbls. in 1959 to 5,942,000 bbls. in 1960. Proved oil reserves were estimated at 108,028,000 bbls. on December 31, 1960. Gas production increased from 118,862,000 MCF in 1959 to 119,671,000 MCF in 1960. Gas reserves were estimated at 1,192,132,000 MCF at the end of the year. Distillate produced in 1960 amounted to 67,000 bbls. The total footage drilled, both shallow and deep, was 2,430,280 ft.